Things to Do in Asia

The cool sound of water tumbling down a rocky cliff face and into a pool greets you at Na Muang Falls.

Nestled amongst the island's central mountains, the falls have two tiers: a lower stretch easily reached by foot and a higher tier that’s best reached by hiking or riding on elephant back. The lower tier of falls is suitable for swimming.

The road to the lower falls is lined with food stalls and souvenir vendors, and elephant handlers offer their animals for rides to the top tier.

Nestled amid jungle-covered mountains, Nai Harn Beach is a favorite among locals. Its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, freshwater inlet and spectacular ocean views make for one of the most relaxing beaches in Phuket. Active travelers can log miles on the l.5 mile lap around Nai Harn Lake, surf some of the areas spectacular waves, rent kayaks and paddle into the sea or play a game of pick-up beach volleyball on the sandy shore’s court.

For kitschy souvenirs and trinkets to bring home as gifts or mementos of your time in Japan, there’s really only one place to shop, and that’s Nakamise Street. The name roughly translates to “Street of Inside Shops,” and you’ll find both sides lined with stores selling knickknacks, souvenirs and snacks.

The shopping street owes its existence to the Senso-ji Buddhist temple, dating back to the seventh century. The temple has drawn in enough devotees over the centuries to spawn a thriving commercial district. The shops once served as homes for the temple servants who cleaned the grounds, but now it’s wall to wall shops. Here you’ll find folding fans, kimonos and their accompanying wooden sandals, Edo-style colored glassware and the typical lineup of tourist trinkets.

Save room in your stomach to sample some of the traditional Japanese snacks sold along the street, particularly the savory rice crackers, Azuki bean paste and sticky rice cakes.

The Nakhoda Mosque, the largest Mosque in Kolkata (Calcutta), was styled after the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar in Agra. The behemoth red sandstone structure, built in 1926, can accommodate 10,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall. The mosque’s green rooftop includes three domes and two large minarets with an additional 25 smaller minarets.

The mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims during prayer times, but the main draw of the mosque is the market surrounding it. The tightly packed stalls of the bazaar sell everything from prayer mats and Korans to the best kebabs and biryani, a spiced rice dish, to be found in the city.

If you plan to visit the mosque between prayer times, be sure to wear conservative clothing, including long pants and covered shoulders, or you likely won’t be allowed in. The mosque is located in one of the most congested areas of the city, so leave plenty of time to get there and out again.